BY JILL D’AMICO

Brooklyn’s hottest design party came together for what critics are calling the “best ever” edition of BKLYN DESIGNS™ yet.

The show, which was smaller than in years past, was carefully curated to reflect the varied offerings of the borough: textiles, wood, ceramics and even modular dwellings were all represented, and all were made by local designers who have helped to launch Brooklyn’s design scene into its own stratosphere.

Six exhibitors – Palo Santo, Uhuru, Um, Asha Carpets, Hugh Hayden and Takeshi Miyakawa – were chosen to exhibit under the BKLYN DESIGNS™ banner at the International Contemporary Furnishings Fair, which took place the following week at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan.

Attendance held steady at 6,500 people, a mark of Brooklyn’s draw even in a bad economy. The show was held at St. Ann’s Warehouse with a children’s exhibit at Jane’s Carousel, currently parked in a DUMBO garage.

That didn’t stop a roster full of events and parties to coincide with BKLYN DESIGNS™, however. As trade day kicked off on Friday, May 8, there was an “Architects and Designers Trade Luncheon” examining if high end could meet low-cost in a down economy, and took place at the Thermador, Bosch, Gaggenau Showroom. Saturday was the much-buzzed about DWELL Brooklyn Home-Tour, which took attendees inside modern residences in Brooklyn, curated by Dwell Magazine. Tour-takers got to meet the design teams and Dwell staffers and explore inspired architectural and interior design solutions. There was also an educational open house tour sponsored by 93 Nevins, where people learned about eco-friendly technology and design.

The first two evenings of BKLYN DESIGNS™ were marked with after parties, sponsored by Dwell and New York magazines. The weekend was capped off with a raffle to benefit the American Cancer Society, with the winner taking home children’s furniture by exhibitors Argington. 

BKLYN DESIGNS™ receives support from Speaker Sheldon Silver and the New York State Assembly Brooklyn Delegation, Speaker Christine Quinn and the New York City Council Brooklyn Delegation, and the New York City Department of Small Business Services.  Sponsors of the 2009 event are 93 Nevins, Pratt Institute, Two Trees Management, Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center, Con Edison, Benjamin Moore, Thermador, Interior Design, New York Magazine, dwell, Designer Pages, The American Institute of Architectures New York & Brooklyn, The American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Association.